tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened run-in
towards rear and keen, not fluent 1st, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out and mistake, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish
behind, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
with leader, lost place from 13th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden before 2 out, kept on run-in
tracked leaders to 4th mid-division, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, soon towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on to lead last 25 yards
held up behind, weakened from 4 out
made most, ridden run-in, soon headed and weakened
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led run-in, headed last 25 yards, no extra
held up in touch, ridden before last, kept on and lost 3rd place towards finish
Another very tricky puzzle to solve but you couldn't rule out another win for Roalco De Farges, who landed the prize 12 months ago and was following in the hoof prints of stablemate Balthazar King, who won it in 2012 and 2013. He is 4lb higher, however, and became hard to catch right later. Champion Court goes well here and has been back to his best lately, though could find a few of these too good at the weights today. This has proved too far for May's Haydock winner Big Casino in the past but stamina is not an issue for Ludlow winner Azure Fly, though he has not fared well around here previously. Fox Appeal could figure if fully wound up and a similar comment applies to Theatrical Star but WHATS HAPPENING was very impressive when winning on good going over 3m4f here in April and is taken to cash in on what still looks a fair mark. Silver Man has been a flag-bearer for Jo Hughes and should also give a good account.
Champion Court (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Jumped well, made all, edged right and reminder before 11th, driven 3 out, stayed on well, clear flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jul beating Ulis De Vassy (10-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway to track leaders when went right 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened last, 8th of 11, 25 3/4l behind Anay Turge (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Kie (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, driven 3 out, stayed on flat, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Carrigmorna King (11-5) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Theatrical Star 7-1 (10-13) Pressed leaders until settled 3rd 5th, went close 2nd 16th, led 4 out until 3 out, chased leader until before 2 out, rallied into 2nd again last, no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Le Reve (10-13) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Roalco De Farges (FR) 25-1 (10-1) In touch, weakened approaching 20th, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Silver Man 7-4fav (11-11) Led, jumped right 7th, blundered 11th, pressed from 3 out, headed briefly approaching next, ridden and headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Weather Babe (10-12) at Bangor 3m (4) gd in Oct.
Azure Fly (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Prominent, led after 18th, headed 3 out, led again last, swerved left flat, straightened up and driven out, won at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Dreamsoftheatre (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Whats Happening (IRE) 6-1fav (11-9) Mid-division, tracked leaders 18th, outpaced in 3rd before 2 out, switched inside between last 2, soon ridden, led after last, drew clear flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Velator (11-6) by 8l, 11 ran.
Black Benny (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up, not fluent 2nd, 9th from 5th, improved to chase leaders 2 out, one pace in 3rd from before last,, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Valours Minion (10-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
Big Casino 10-3fav (10-0) Made all, ridden from 2 out, stayed on gamely, clear final 150 yards, won at Haydock 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in May beating Cloud Creeper (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Prominent, led before 13th, headed next, every chance after 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened before last (usual 2 out), 12th of 17, dist behind Cause Of Causes (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m lst (1) gs in Mar.
Audacious Plan (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5 out, no extra 2 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Drop Out Joe (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
